What Chelsea hierarchy think about hiring Brendan Rodgers to replace Frank Lampard

Chelsea: Lampard previews Leicester clash

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to be appointed by Chelsea if Frank Lampard is sacked this month, according to reports. The former Blues and England midfielder’s position as manager has been called into question by supporters after an underwhelming spell of recent form.

Chelsea have taken maximum points from just two of their last seven Premier League outings after initially establishing themselves as early title contenders.

Lampard has also failed, as of yet, to get the best out of his two most expensive summer recruits, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. 

The German pair, who were signed for a combined £120m, struggled to make an impression in the English game during the first half of the campaign.

It has been reported that Blues owner Roman Abramovich’s patience with Lampard is being tested to the extent that he could be given the boot if Chelsea lose to the Foxes on Tuesday night.

Rodgers, who enjoyed a successful spell with Celtic before joining Leicester, has been tipped by some as Lampard’s potential successor.

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The 47-year-old managed Chelsea’s youth and reserve teams during Jose Mourinho’s stint as first-team manager before taking his first senior job at Watford in 2008.

Despite his links to the Stamford Bridge club, The Athletic has claimed that Rodgers is not remembered too fondly by those at the top, suggesting that an imminent return to west London is an unrealistic proposition.

“He’s definitely valued as a coach, and who wouldn’t value him as a coach because of the jobs he’s done at Leicester and Celtic,” journalist Simon Johnson told talkSPORT.

“He made an impression when he was in charge of the youth and reserve teams. But there are a lot of things Brendan has said and done over the years which did not go down too well with the hierarchy.

I think if Chelsea are going to appoint another manager they might be looking elsewhere. But he’d definitely be lower down on the list.”

Rodgers was previously linked with the Chelsea job in 2012 after the departure of former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Scottish boss, then at Swansea City, distanced himself from the speculation, claiming that his coaching career would be in tatters if he failed to live up to expectations.

“It’s sad to see Andre depart,” Rodgers said, as reported by The Guardian. “The transition that is needed at the club is very much evident, and it’s a job that requires sensitivity about where the club is at.

“It’s about understanding and respecting what the players have done there and also having that ruthless streak to manage the club. I feel André tried to do those things but, for whatever reason, it just hasn’t worked out.

“For me the focus is on Swansea. I came here to do a job. The story for us all so far has been fantastic and I hope that will continue.

“If any of our fans are wondering about me and Chelsea, they need not panic. I am trying to build my career and not destroy it.”

It remains to be seen whether the Blues will stick with Lampard for the rest of the season or call a premature end to his spell in the hotseat.

The 42-year-old has taken an average of 1.76 points per game, more than Villas-Boas managed during his reign but considerably less than the likes of Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.

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